Dental gun



April 8, 1969 w. B. DRAGAN DENTAL GUN Filed April 7, 1966 FIG. 1

FIG.2

FIG. 3

INVENTOR. William B. Dragan ATTORNEY 3,436,828 DENTAL GUN William B.Dragan, Burr St., R.D., Fairfield, Conn. 06430 Filed Apr. 7, 1966, Ser.No. 540,890 Int. Cl. A61c 9/00 US. Cl. 32-17 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A readily disposable and expendible dental gun having anelongated tubular plastic body carrying a slidable plunger means thereinand having one end formed with an integral laterally extending, circularflange for manipulative cooperation with the plunger means and anopposing externally threaded end on which a removable plastic nozzlemember is threaded, the nozzle member having an inner end constitutingan axial prolongation of the body and formed with a bore coaxial withthe bore in the body and having a frusto-conical outer end connected atits major inner end by a tapered throat portion with the inner end ofthe nozzle member.

This invention relates in general to a dental gun, and and morespecifically to a readily disposable and expendible dental gun forapplying a semifluent plastic-like or plaster material into ones mouthfor taking impressions of the patients bite and/ or teeth in thepractice of restorative dentistry.

In restorative dentistry, it is frequently required that impressions ofones bit and/ or teeth be taken in order to properly fit such patientwith a bridge, inlay, crown, cap or false teeth. Generally, the materialfrom which such impressions of ones bite and/or teeth be taken in orderto ter-like material which in its semifluent or unset state has a tackyor gummy characteristic which renders it difficult to clean and/orremove from the dental tools heretofore required to apply such material.Frequently in working in very restrictive areas of ones mouth, a perfectimpression is not always possible on the first attempt. If for somereason an impression is not satisfactorily made on the first attempt, asecond or subsequent attempt is required. Thus, it often happens thatmore than one impression may be required to be made to effect the properrestorative dental work. In such event, it is imperative that thedentist or his nurse clean the dental gun heretofore used to apply themolding material in preparation for the second or subsequent impression.Because of the inherent characteristics of the rubber or plastic-likematerial used to make such impressions, extreme difficulty wasencountered in cleaning such too s. As a result, a considerable amountof time was wasted between impressions while the tools were beingprepared. Thus, while the cleaning was being effected, the patient hadto remain seated in the chair and wait. More often than not, suchwaiting on the part of the patient tended to increase his discomfort andcause the dentist to lose much valuable time. To obviate this waste oftime, some dentists would have spare dental guns so that they could useone while a nurse cleaned the soiled gun. However, in the event adentist had no nurse, duplication of tools would be no solution to theproblem. A further disadvantage to this practice is that it isrelatively costly, and the necessity for a dentist to own extra toolsgreatly increases his capital expenditures.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dental gun for makingimpressions of ones bite and/or teeth which is relatively simple inconstruction, and which can be so inexpensively fabricated that the samecan be rendered readily expendible after use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved dental gunconstructed and arranged whereby the same can be readily loaded byasperating the molding material into the barrel portion of the gun in asimple and expedient manner.

Another object of this invention is to provide a readily disposabledental gun having a nozzle detachably connected to the barrel portionthereof whereby the same may be readily removed to effect the loading ofthe gun by asperation, and whereby the nozzle can then be readilyreconnected to the end of the gun barrel to control and direct thedischarge of the material therefrom in a sure and speedy manner and witha minimum of manual pressure required on the part of the dentist.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved finger gripconstruction on the end of the barrel opposite the nozzle end tofacilitate gripping of the gun between a dentists fingers regardless ofthe manner in which the gun is picked up.

The foregoing objects, and other features and advantages are attained bya dental gun which is preferably formed of an inexpensive material suchas plastic; and which is so simple in construction that it is renderedreadily expendible after use. In accordance with this invention, thedental gun comprises an elongated tubular body having a bore of aconstant diameter extending therethrough to define the reservoir chamberor barrel portion of the gun and a plunger means reciprocally mountedwithin the bore of the body. The plunger means includes a stem whichextends into and out of the bore of the body. Connected to the inner endof the stem within the barrel portion or body is a piston disposed infrictional sliding relationship with the internal surface of the bore.The end of the body through which the outer end of the stem extends isprovided with a laterally extending flange circumscribing the entireouter periphery of the tubular body to define a finger hold or grip.

In accordance with this invention, a nozzle or tip construction having areduced discharge or outer end is detachably connected at its inner endof the tubular body by a suitable readily detachable coupling means tofacilitate the removal of the nozzle or tip from the tubular body inpreparation for asperating the material into the barrel of the gun. Theinner end of the nozzle has a slightly larger diameter bore arrangedcoaxially with the bore in the body and is connected by an inwardlytapered throat portion with the frusto-conical discharge end of thenozzle that is disposed at an angle with respect to the inner end.

With the bore of the tubular body filled with the molding material byasperating the material thereinto, the nozzle end is thereafter coupledto the end of the barrel or body portion of the gun in preparation ofapplying the material into ones mouth. The material is discharged fromthe gun by the dentist simply by depressing the plunger to force thematerial out through the nozzle discharge opening. Upon completion ofthe taking of the impression, the entire gun may be disposed. If asecond or subsequent impression is required, another readily disposablegun is used.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of a dental gunconstructed and arranged so that it can be readily loaded with thematerial for forming the impression simply by asperating the materialthrough the open end of the barrel and whereb direction and control ofthe discharge of the material therefrom is attained by the connection ofa nozzle to the end of the body or barrel portion of the gun.

Another feature of this invention resides in the improvement of animproved finger grip that extends laterally about the entire peripheryof the tubular body to permit a dentist to hold the gun in any givenposition.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawing and specification in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the dental gun constructed in accordance withthe instant invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view of the dental gun of FIG. 1 with the nozzleportion removed and having parts thereof shown in section.

FIGURE 3 is an end view taken along line 3-3 on FIG. 2.

FIGURE 4- is a detail sectional view of the nozzle utilized inconjunction with the dental gun of FIG. 2.

The dental gun of the present invention is preferably constructed of arelatively inexpensive material, such as plastic. The construction ofthe gun is rendered so simple and inexpensive to manufacture that theentire gun can be readily expended and thrown away after use.

As shown, the dental gun 10 comprises a tubular member 11 having aconstant diameter longitudinal bore 12 extending therethrough to definea reservoir chamber 13 for the molding material. One end of the tubularbody terminates in a laterally extending integral flange 14 thatcircumscribes the entire periphery of the tubular member 11. Thelaterally extending flange 14 thus defines a finger hold or grip bywhich the tubular body 11 may be held in any fashion, as between twofingers of a dentists hand in a position such that the thumb of the handmay be pressed against the end of a plunger means 15 reciprocallymounted within the bore 12 of the tubular body.

The plunger means 15 comprises a stem 16 that extends into and out ofthe bore 12 of the tubular body 11 and which has connected to the innerend thereof a piston head 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the stem 16of the plunger means 15 is cruciform in cross sections. The piston head17 connected to the inner end of the stem 16 is preferably formed of aresilient material such as rubber or the like, and it is defined with apair of laterally extending circurnscribing lands 18, 19 adapted to bedisposed in sliding friction engagement with the inner wall or surface12 of the tubular member 11. Accordingly, the respective projectinglands 18, 19 define a seal with the bore of the tubular member.

Connected to the outer end of the stem 16 is a headed portion 20 againstwhich a dentist will place his thumb to exert a force on the plungermeans 15 for displacing the same toward the discharge end 11A of thebody member 11 to effect the discharge of the molding material.

In accordance with this invention, the discharge end 11A of the tubularbody is constructed and arranged to receive a nozzle 21 which isdetachably connected thereto. As best seen in FIG. 4, the one-pieceplastic nozzle 21 includes a tubular inner or inlet end portion 28adapted to be detachably coupled onto the end 11A of the tubular body soas to constitute an axial prolongation thereof. The inner end portion 28has an axial bore 29 which is aligned with the body bore 12 and is of aslightly larger diameter than the body bore. The nozzle end portion 28is connected by an inwardly tapered throat portion 30 with the major endof a frusto-conical outer or discharge end portion 31 that has atapering discharge bore 32 leading to the outlet minor end or tip 33thereof. The outer or discharge end portion 31 of the nozzle is disposedat an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bore of thetubular body. A 45 angle has been found to be suitable for mostpurposes, although the degree of angle may be varied for specialapplications. By virtue of the arrangement of the tapered connectingthroat portion 30, which tapers inwardly around the underside and sidesof the outer terminal portion of the inner end portion and forms anangle with the angularly offset discharge or outer end portion 31, thethroat portion presents an inner smooth transition shoulder 34 thatconfronts the end of the bore 29 in a manner to directly feed theissuing material to the major open end of the discharge end portion 31.This results in the pressure issuance of the material through the minorend or tip 33 of the nozzle without requiring an undue amount of manualfinger pressure by the dentist on the head 20 of the plunger. This,also, permits the dentist to devote his full attention to thedirectional issuance of the material. Furthermore, because of theangular disposition of the nozzle discharge end portion 31 relative tothe coaxial tubular body and the inner end portion of the nozzle, thedentist is able to hold the gun in a substantially horizontal positionduring the use thereof, which is more conducive to the comfort of thepatient and to the minimum of strain on the dentist.

In accordance with this invention, the means for detachably connectingthe end of the tubular body comprises complementary threads 26, 27formed on the end 11A of the tubular body 11 and on the inner end 24 ofthe inner end portion 28 to the nozzle 21. As shown, the outer surfaceof the tubular body is provided with a series of threads 26 whichcomplement the internal threads 27 formed on the end 24 to the nozzle.Accordingly, in operation, it is to be noted that the nozzle 21 can bereadily threaded and unthreaded to the tubular member of the dental gun.

Because the nozzle 21 is rendered detachably connected to the end of thetubular body 11, the specific construction and arrangement of the dentalgun 10 disclosed is such that the relatively viscous semitluent plasteror rubber-like plastic material which is utilized by many dentists inmaking an impression of ones teeth and/or mouth, can be quickly loadedinto the bore of the tubular body directly through the enlarged end 11Athereof as seen in FIG. 2 'by asperating the material thereinto. This isattained simply by retracting the plunger means to create a vacuum inthe bore thereof which forces the material to flow thereinto. With thebore 12 of the tubular body filled with such material, the dentistmerely has to screw the nozzle 21 to the end 11A thereof in preparationto applying the moldable material into the mouth of a patient. Thematerial in the barrel of the gun is ejected by pushing the plungertoward the discharge end of the gun. Because of the specific angularconfiguration of the nozzle, direction and control of the discharge ofthe material can be readily attained.

In the event that a second or subsequent impression is required. to bemade, the expended dental gun can be completely disposed and a newdisposable gun 10 immediately substituted for effecting the nextimpression. Thus the need of cleaning guns between impressions iscompletely obviated. Thus, a minimum of time is lost betweenimpressions. The result attained being that the ordeal of the patient isgreatly relieved and a saving of a substantial amount of valuabledentist time.

From the foregoing, it will become readily apparent that the dental gun10 described herein is specifically constructed and arranged so that thesame may be readily loaded with a relatively viscous semifluent materialwhich is otherwise diflicult to handle, in a relatively simple andexpedient manner, and which material can thereafter be discharged fromthe gun in an accurately controlled manner by the attachment ofappropriate nozzle tip 21 to the barrel portion. Also, an importantfeature of the invention resides in the provision that the laterallyextending flange 14 which circumscribes one end of the tubular body toenable the gun to be held between two fingers of a dentists handregardless of the position in which the dental gun is initially pickedup.

While the instant invention has been described with respect to aparticular embodiment thereof, it will be readily understood andappreciated that variations and modifications may be made withoutdetracting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A readily disposable and expendable dental gun for force applicationof a plastic-like molding material in its semifluent state into apatients mouth for making an impression in the practice of restorativedentistry compris- (a) an elongated tubular member formed of relativelyinexpensive plastic material and having opposing ends and a bore ofsubstantially constant diameter extending longitudinally therethroughand through said ends,

(b) a laterally extending circular flange formed integral with the bodyand circumscribing one end of the body to constitute a finger grip onthe body,

(c) a plunger assembly slidably mounted in the body bore and having aprojecting end extending outwardly of the body at the flanged end forfinger engagement and actuation of the plunger in gripping associationwith the flange,

(d) said other end of the body being formed with a relatively largeopening circumscribed by external threads,

(e) a nozzle member detachably fitted on the said other end of the bodyand defining the discharge end of the (f) said nozzle member having aninner end portion of tubular form and having a longitudinal bore andhaving a free end formed with internal threads threadedly engaged withthe threads on the end of the body with the inner end portion being inaxial alignment with the opening of said body and constituting an axialprolongation thereof,

(g) said nozzle member having an outer discharge end portion offrusto-conical formation provided with an inner major end and an outerminor end and having a bore therethrough with the bore graduallydecreasing in diameter from the major end to the minor end,

(h) said major end of the discharge end being correspondingly sized tothe opening in said body and relatively large with respect to the outerminor end of said nozzle member,

(i) said threaded connection between said body and nozzle memberrendering said nozzle member readily removable whereby prompt andexpedient loading of said body member with said plastic-like moldingmaterial is attained by aspirating said material through the opening insaid body with said nozzle member removed therefrom by retraction ofsaid plunger means, and

(j) whereby said material is accurately applied and directed into onesmouth for making impressions by attachment of the nozzle member to theopen end of the body and forcing the material therethrough by movementof said plunger means toward said nozzle member,

(k) and said discharge end portion of said nozzle member being disposedat an angle of about degrees relative to the inner end portion of thenozzle member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 593,318 11/1897 Bacon 128-2341,343,787 6/1920 Neil 128-218 2,578,765 12/1951 Wallace 222-386 XR2,619,087 11/1952 Oclassen.

2,825,134 3/1958 Hicks 32-17 3,050,059 8/1962 Wall. 3,212,685 10/1965Swan 222-386 FOREIGN PATENTS 164,676 12/ 1933 Switzerland.

ROBERT PESHOCK, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

